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Sex Question: Are Breakouts Related to Birth Control?

Dear Dr. H, I recently started breaking out after going off birth control pills, which I had been taking for five years. Are the breakouts and stopping my birth control related? If I start taking it again, should my skin clear up?

A. Possibly. Birth control pills are often used to treat acne in women who are prone to outbreaks, as outbreaks are often hormonal. And many women do find that their skin is clearer while they are on the Pill. My advice would be to talk to your gynecologist about determining whether it'd be appropriate to go back on the Pill. There are other ways to deal with acne, of course. You could look for an acne wash or gel at your local pharmacy or, if your breakouts are more severe, a dermatologist may be able to give you a prescription for a stronger oral or topical treatment.

Readers, do you have any other birth control questions? Let's talk about them here!

Or, if you have a question about anything related to your sexual health, feel free to leave it in the comments section below, or send me an e-mail. And don't forget to check back regularly, right here on Vitamin G to see if I've answered it.